The Internet explosion has generated enormous interest, bucket loads of hype, and many new opportunities and dangers. This Trust was formed in order to facilitate access to the new opportunities that the Internet makes possible.

The most obvious benefits of the Internet are cheap access to information and the ease at which any business or organisation can create a web site in order to promote their products or services.

The down side is that the Internet is already swamped with mind-blowing quantities of information so that any single web site is buried out of site. Search engines can help, but they are far from an ideal answer.

Another major benefit to consumers is the new capability to buy products like books and CDs at the cheapest price from anywhere in the world. But this also represents a major threat to our local book and music stores who offer a personal service, but can no longer compete on price or availability. And book music stores are not the only businesses under threat.

The Internet also makes it possible for businesses and organisations with common interests, e.g. clusters, to network together, pooling resources, problem resolution and even buying power.